







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | ¡No quiero vivir en los suburbios! |
| Do we have any bread to toast? | ¿Tenemos pan para tostar? |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | ¿Has dicho Rusia? ¡Eso es poco habitual! |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | No te preocupes, no es algo que hagamos todos los días. |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | Es una habitación doble, además tenemos un limpiador una vez a la semana. |
| Hey, we are back. | Hey, volvimos. |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | No, ¡pero definitivamente no quiero seguir viviendo en esa casa! |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | ¿Quieres que ponga el pollo en la olla primero? |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | Necesito un poco de perejil pero parece un poco mustio. |
| Dear, who is it? | Querido, ¿quién es? |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | Para mí, ¡el desperdicio es más raro! |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | Y a veces no vienen a casa en días. |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | Sí, ¡nuestra habitación sólo tiene una ventana! |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | ¡Mierda! ¡No puedo creer que ya son las 10:30! |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | Y tenemos que pesar todo nosotros, etcétera. |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | Perdona por no acudir a tu inauguración. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | La receta es para 6 personas. |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Aquí tiene señor, este es su recibo y su devolución de £20. |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | De nada, aquí está el menú, señora. |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | ¿Podrías dejar de actuar como si siempre te pido dinero? |